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As Goal.com exclusively revealed last week, Mario Balotelli now has a matter of weeks to save his Manchester City career, with boss Roberto Mancini seemingly running out of patience with his mercurial frontman.

Milan are reportedly willing to offer Balotelli a chance to return to Italy on loan in January, using funds freed up by the likely sale of Robinho to Brazilian giants Santos, the club where he began his career.

If Balotelli does return to Milan, he will be following in the footsteps of former team-mate Nigel de Jong, who swapped the Etihad Stadium for the San Siro in the summer.

But with the combative Dutchman set to miss the rest of the season with an Achilles problem, the Rossoneri could well be looking to beef up their midfield too.